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USGS using Turner Designs fluorometers in Plankton Dynamics
Project
The Water Resources Division of the United States Geological Survey
in Menlo Park, CA are using chlorophyll fluorometers in San Francisco
Bay to provide critical data that is being used as part of the Plankton
Dynamics Project. Fluorescence is a known proxy for phytoplankton
biomass - the USGS utilizes moored fluorometers in San Francisco Bay
and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta combined with underway and laboratory
fluorometers to determine the abundance and productivity of planktonic
microalgae in order to define and quantify some important processes:
- processes that regulate population
dynamics and productivity of planktonic organisms in estuaries
- processes through which the plankton
alter and reflect water quality in estuaries
- benthic processes that affect plankton
dynamics and productivity of estuaries; in addition to helping
define anthropogenic impacts on estuarine ecosystems
The instrument systems they are currently using include:
One, soon to be two, permanently moored SCUFAs at the Dumbarton Bridge,
South San Francisco Bay. Surface and bottom high frequency sampling
- helping us understand not only total biomass of phytoplankton, but
information on how blooms develop and exactly when they develop. They
are presently working on radio-telemetering this data so that we can
access it real time on the web.
At various times of the year, 4-10 SCUFAs moored in the Delta for
2-5 months....within flooded islands (tidal lakes). The data from
these moorings help to understand if these systems function as sources
or sinks of phytoplankton (primary foodsource) - currently this data
is very relevant since there are plans to flood numerous tracts of
land in the delta and create more of these lakes.
A 10-AU with a flowcell used in underway mode for continuous horizontal
sampling during regular Bay sampling cruises.
A TD-700 Laboratory Fluorometer for chlorophyll extractions.
To learn more about the Water Quality Group and the Plankton Dynamics
Project please visit their website.
 
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